Unwelcome Return: Darius Miles' Salary Rejoins Portland Trail Blazers

No, Miles is not back to Portland as a player. But he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies to a 10-day contract. If the Griz play Miles for two games, it will be a nightmare for the Blazers.

His $18 million contract comes back to Portland's salary cap.

The Blazers waived Miles in April 2008, when the independent doctor said that Miles' knee injury is "career ending." Then the Blazers can waive him and his salary his off the cap. The rule was that if Miles plays less than 10 games, Miles' salary is gone.

The Blazers did this so that they will have enough salary cap space to sign big free agents in 2010, when players like LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade become free agents.

But Miles was cut by the Celtics in the pre-season, after playing 6 games for the Celtics in the pre season. So the Blazers didn't worry that much.

Second problem: This time, the Memphis Grizzlies signed him.

But Miles was on suspension, so his Griz debut got delayed into January. He played two games for the Griz before getting waived, so that the Griz don't have to keep him rest of the season. Still have eight games left, if the rule didn't change.

Third problem: New Rule

The NBA announced that pre-season games will get counted towards this Darius Miles issue. So Miles only needs to play in two more games for his salary to count toward the Blazers' cap.

The Blazers were surprised by this. So they sent e-mails to the 29 other NBA teams, threatening that if other teams play Miles for two more games for the purpose of hurting the Blazers, Portland will take legal action.

The Grizzlies ignored the threat and signed Miles to a 10-day contract. The Griz are most likely will play Miles for two more games and cut him.